Up to 9,000 patients at Caboolture Hospital, located north of Brisbane, are facing a review of their medical imaging results following a significant error in the hospital’s scan distribution process. This issue, identified recently, raises concerns particularly for hundreds of patients classified as high-risk.
The problem originated from a procedural change made in April 2023, which affected how scans were distributed within the hospital’s Specialist Outpatient Department. According to Dr. David Rosengren, Queensland’s director-general of health, this adjustment may have resulted in some patients’ imaging results not being adequately reviewed by their respective treating specialists.
The matter first came to light on September 4, 2023. However, Dr. Elizabeth Rushbrook, Chief Medical Officer of Metro North Health, indicated that the hospital only grasped the full extent of the “systems issue” last week. While the potential impact on 9,000 patients is deemed a worst-case scenario, Rushbrook acknowledged that there could be several hundreds of high-risk individuals among them.
The distribution of scans, both electronically and as hard copies, was inconsistent after the April change. Rushbrook noted that this inconsistency surfaced in September when an advanced cancer case experienced a five-week delay before the imaging could be reviewed. “It became clear that, intermittently, that had been happening in that department for some time,” she said.
In response to this situation, a comprehensive review of systems and processes across all Metro North hospitals is underway. The hospital aims to complete the audit within a two-week timeframe. This review is critical not only for addressing the current backlog but also for ensuring that future distribution processes are reliable and effective.
As the situation develops, patients are urged to stay informed and consult with their healthcare providers regarding their individual imaging results and any necessary follow-up actions.
